>> announcer: this is al jazeera. hello there, this is the newshour, live from london. coming up in the next 60 minutes - more than 4,200 migrants rescued from the mediterranean in 24 hours. [ siren ] a packed market is amongst the latest targets of barrel bombs dispatched from syrian government helicopters almost 30 killed in northern

nigeria during a suicide bombing and rocket attacks. plus... >> i have no concerns about that and i have especially no concerns about my person. >> sepp blatter defiant as the corruption scandal engulfing f.i.f.a. rumbles on. >> and i have all the sport, including we'll find out from africa why f.i.f.a.'s president is so popular across the continent. details later in the programme. hello, there a warm welcome to this hour of news. a massive rescue operation has taken place in italy during one of the busiest periods for migrant traffic this year. more than 4,200 people have been saved in the mediterranean in just the last 24 hours. they were pulled from a number of boats from rescue teams from italy, ireland and germany, the

latest development in a growing crisis. since january, 1,800 people have died or gone missing, making the perilous journey. >> reporter: in the middle of the mediterranean sea, this was a scramble to stay afloat. a desperate scene repeated many times over. a german frigate was involved in this rescue where hundreds of people were picked up from different boats. among them the very young. and few can imagine how this mother might have felt being reunited with her little boy. others exhausted from their journey were able to rest on deck. an unprecedented numbers of people are trying to make the perilous trip from north africa to europe, to escape war, poverty and persecution. many are gambling on better economic prospects in europe

but are risking everything in the process. vessels from europe's tritan naval operations have been working nonstop. among them britain's navy flag ship h m.s. "bulwark." hundreds on board, some under 18, and travelling alone. italy is still bearing the brunt of arrivals but not all. in recent days dozens arrived on the greek holiday island of cos from turkey. this group, careful to destroy their inflatable boat before walking ashore. europe's navy will keep rescuing the migrants the politicians make plans to disperse them throughout the e.u. many do not want them. there has been no slow down in the flow trying to reach these shores. hoda abdel-hamid is in catania and said the numbers of

migrants arriving could rise dramatically in the coming days. >> that figure of more than 4,000 migrants rescued was announced saturday morning. since there has been more rescue operations. the italians announced they have picked up 300 more people on board 300 rubber dinghies or zoed yaks. -- zodiacs. patrols are ongoing, figures in the next few hours could become 5,000, 6,000, 7,000. what happens to the migrants when they arrive? they go through checks. there are children elderly. the italians have to sift through that give them what they need urgently and then they have to be relocated. it's been a huge issue. they've been calling on the european union to step in and

share the burden. italy called on the different regions to pinpoint the empty buildings and facilities where it can relocate the islands in as soon as they land in the short term basically. to syria, where people are under attack from government forces is i.s.i.l. fighters. more than 100 people are reported dead in aleppo and idlib. the worst violence was in alback where a popular market was hit by barrel bombs. 75 were killed. barrel bombs hit the al-shah neighbourhood, killing 2024. it comes as i.s.i.l. expands its presence around aleppo leading to violence. we have more. the scene in aleppo is grim. activists say government helicopters have dropped barrel

bombs in this distribute. this ambulance is rushing to help survivors. many are dead including women and children. many groups fighting in syria, but the province of idlib next door syrian rebels overran the town and the field commander is promising more gains. >> we have weapons that we never used before. we promised our brothers that they'll see the new weapons. the fighters coalition of groups allied to al qaeda are reported to have plans to attack president bashar al-assad's stronghold on the coast. syrian forces have been on the retreat. the vehicles are said to be heading into the province of hama and beyond. it could be the next crucial battle for the rebels and the

government. it's in the province of hama and lies between the power base of president bashar al-assad in the mountains to the west and the rebel-held province in idlib in the north. on the other side of the country there's a fast-moving advance. the kurds say they have cleared a village from i.s.i.l. activists posted a video of a church overrun by i.s.i.l. kurdish fighters drove them out. this woman said is she lost everything. >> i built the house with my sweat and blood. i don't have anyone. i'm barely surviving. they don't fear god. millions of syrians lost their homes and livelihoods during the war. as fighting continues, millions

could face the same fate. >> there are reports that i.s.i.l. has thrown up a major prison com -- blown up a major prison complex. the group published the images. it's a feared detention center. it reported human rights abuses and is located amongst the rumours, and is believed empty at the time. >> sources in iraq say the fighters repelled an attack. it was an attempt by the army to regain control. this city was said to show ammunition left behind by the forces as it retreated. >> the iraqi army and popular mobilization forces are fighting against i.s.i.l. they are in a place home to the

oil refinery. i.s.i.l. is uploading photos of weapons they say they seized from government troops. >> al jazeera obtained video of what appears to show government forces and allied positions. soldiers recaptured the city from i.s.i.l. and al jazeera understands that they have been stopping locals from returning to their homes. a suicide bomber attacked a mosque in the northern nigerian city of maiduguri. 11 have been killed does ens in -- dozens injured in the attack. it's the second attack in maiduguri on saturday. earlier an attack was launched with rocket grenades that killed 13 people let's speak to act med idris in -- akmed idris.

two attacks by boko haram, showing no signs of quietening its campaign. >> that's right, it's testing the new government. muhammadu buhari took over as president of nigeria yesterday. he ordered the military to move the command headquarters in abuja to the north-east where the action is. just less than 24 hours after that announcement by the president, boko haram, like we said launched an attack trying to attack the main city of maiduguri. for long maiduguri has been a coveted prize for boko haram, but they have been repelled from maiduguri. following victories, people think boko haram's ability to take major towns and retain them is depleted. that is a situation now.

what we are seeing over the last two months or so. boko haram is in the actually trying to occupy towns like maiduguri, but trying to run situations like suicide bombings and launching attacks briefly, and disappear into the bushes. >> ahmed idris joining me from gom by. thank you. be. thank you. . >> houthis have been attacked across yemen. planes targeted a base in sanaa, sending off secondary explosions and fires. coalition planes hit two government compounds. dozens of houthi fighters killed in the attacks. meanwhile, in a province two citizens were killed by houthi shelling. they have been boosted by the arrival of reinforcement in the province. there has been seven houthi fighters killed and three from

popular resistance forces. the u.n. special envoy to yemen arrived in sanaa, as part of diplomatic efforts to leave the compound. talks will take place despite the first round being postponed last week live to new york where i'm joined by a yemeni political analyst. thank you for joining us. do you think now is the time to... >> thank you for having me. >> do you think now is the time for any sort of diplomatic attempt? >> i think that this point is complicated, and more complicated than ever for any diplomatic solutions. i think everywhere on the ground right now is locking at a military victory to stem the political talk. as seen yesterday, the

ex-president - he rejected the outcome of the national dialogue 20 times, and will not allow anyone to implement it. the houthis militia. they have committed massacres and blown opponent houses. the situation is worse on the ground given that there is so many engaged in military resistance, given that most people also in the south, aden and others are engaged in a military resistance in saudi arabia's bombing from the skies. houthis do what they do in taking over the city blowing up houses. yesterday they came out in a tv interview, determined to fight the fight from the end. at this point it is difficult.

given all the peaceful dialogue failed in the past and no one implemented anything not even one article of the u.n. security council resolution. i don't see how talk will go forward at this point. given that blood is all over yemen, and no willingness from the houthis and salah to withdraw from cities and return to the government is what you are saying that right now continued military action is the right - i don't want to use the word solution but is the right and perhaps only step at the moment? i think i'm against military solutions, but seeing what is happening on the ground i come to a conclusion that everyone believes the only solution changing the political game or

dialogue would be to free as much as cities from the hands of houthis, and end their military capabilities and i think this is happening in yemen, and it seems to be at this point the resistance of ali abdullah saleh and the houthi militias is the only solution out. they have tried to talk with them. the national dialogue was there for 10 months. there was over dozens of agreements signed between the government and the houthi militia, and they never honoured an agreement. at the point now, there is a proxy war in yemen, between saudi arabia and the iranians. it's more complicated, and it's out of everyone's hand right now. i think, you know of the houthis, and salah has started to give a sign that they wanted to withdraw and stop the killing of yemenis, we may have a chance

for a political talk over any dialogue. i don't see any dialogue will be effective at this point, and any dialogue would be a dialogue for the sake of dialogue but will not change anything on the ground. you have fights resistance across yemen, and people are fed up with negotiations that would give salah and the houthis legitimacy to legitimize their crimes against humanity. people came to a conclusion that they had to take the matters to their own hand and free their own cities and move forward and put an end. we see that happening in a lot of cities and polices in yemen where the resistance and the local people have taken over their own cities and pushed out the military that are loyal to the houthis. it's very clear to me that yemenis are determined to move forward with resistance to put

an end to this and the crimes that have been committed by ali abdullah saleh and houthis against yemenis across the nation, and put an end - in order to put an end to the saudi-led strikes in yemen. houthis will need to stop and the only one that can stop them are the yemenis on the ground. >> i'm going to have to stop you there on that thought. joining me live from new york. thank you very much. >> coming up on the newshour the latest on india's scorching heatwave that's killed nearly 2,000 people. plus uniting against a common foe. ukraine and georgia make a deal likely to inflame tensions with russia and center stage at the french open in paris. paris.

thousands of people are fleeing violence in south sudan's unity state as the government finds rebels. the situation is the worse that it's been for months. catherine wambua-soi reports from bentiu these me arrived at a camp for displaced people in unity state. they come from a village, and have been on the road for 24 days hiding in swamps during the day, and daring to walk at night, in fear of government soldiers they carry a man, too weak and sick. he died on arrival here. >> my dad's health had improved. he was walking and talking. i went to look for his food. when i returned he had died. >> reporter: after days on the road this one-week-old has just

arrived. her mother gave birth to her on the day they escaped from their village, after an assault by men in a military uniform. >> they beat us, and killed people. after burning homes we ran to the bush where i delivered my baby. >> reporter: this man had to under go surgery, he came with a bullet wound to his arm. doctors without borders have seen to dozens of patients with bullet wounds. >> translation: they came in the night. they took our cattle. my son hit in the swamp. we had to live the next day. >> reporter: to the south and east of bentiu a government offensive is going on. many have come to seek refuge. 21,000 in the last few weeks, heavily burdening the crowded

camps. >> they are exhausted, traumatized and afraid. >> they come here to get humanitarian help. they receive supplies like food blankets and utensils. some people have been through the process, and those that talked said it seemed like a never-ending cycle of suffering. at the camp a family is making funeral arrangements. he had been buried in bentiu a town never visited, and so far away from a home lived in and loved. she starts her home life here again, so far from home. catherine wambua-soi spoke to unity state's acting governor. he rejected allegations that government forces have been looting and attacking a local community. >> i think, actually this one is not true.

the army you see. they burnt the houses. they never loot the property of the civilian in cities. i think this information that you have got is not true because we are aware that the rebel - they are coming to attack opposition and after that they pursue the rebels. you see. they could not burn the houses. they could not do these things. >> f.i.f.a. president sepp blatter declared that he doesn't fear being arrested. speaking a day after his election in zurich he denied that he is to blame for the unprecedented scandal rocking football. >> reporter: day one of his fifth term as f.i.f.a. president and sepp blatter is not happy. >> i said i forgive, but i don't

forget when it comes to persons, and not to facts. >> he chaired a meeting of f.i.f.a.'s executive committee, a panel that made world football's biggest decisions. david gill a newly elected member from europe chose not to attend at a protest of blatter's re-election. they couldn't see positive changes while blatter was in charge. it's one detail in a growing split between f.i.f.a. and european football's governing body u.e.f.a. who backed blatter's election rival prince ali du hussain. >> you have the best competitioning you have the best players -- best competition, you have the best chubbs and players. if you don't have players from others you don't have the best football. they should help come in and

take responsibility and you can't take that when you are elected. you don't come to the first meeting. this is no responsibility. you are elected, you have to come. whoever is the president of f.i.f.a. sepp blatter has loyal support in many countries beyond european borders, and that's why he was able to survive the week seeing seven high-ranking members arrested on corruption. the thought of resigning never crossed his mind. >> in congress they are of the opinion that i am the man to go into these problems and to solve the problems. >> u.e.f.a. may find it ironic told to set an example by the head of the organization and has officials residing on corruption charges. u.e.f.a.'s members will meet on saturday. a topic of pulling out of f.i.f.a. will be discussed. russian police clashed with

activists at a gay rights demonstration in moscow. 15 people were detained after holding a protest. it's not clear if any held will be charged ukranian president petro porashenko appointed a man who fought a war against russia as governor of odessa region. he is georgia's former leader and has a reputation for being pro-western. simon mcgregor-wood reports. >> reporter: president petro porashenko called his governor of odessa a friend of ukraine. the former president of georgia has been advising the government in kiev for several months and been a supporter of the country's move to the west and a foe of vladimir putin. his appointment is a sign of defines to moscow and may be part of president petro porashenko's drive to root out

local corruption. >> translation: we must all work together under the new ukranian president to build a new ukraine. without a new ukraine, there'll be no future for the region or our town. everything is being decided now, a lot in odessa itself. >> as president of georgia, he steered his country away from moscow's sphere of influence towards closer ties with europe. in swathe they fought a war over the region of ossetia. >> the appointment sees him assume citizenship while facing charges in gormia. >> the rush -- georgia. >> the russians are also stirring up tensions. these an exercises on the west. having many fearing that russia will initiate another round of

fighting. this hospital in donetsk was hit by shell fire. the minsk agreement has not been fully implemented. ukrainians accuse the russians of sending weapons and regular troops into rebel held areas of the country. the appointed of sack ash veily will do nothing to improve the atmosphere still ahead on the newshour - a new treatment that could double the life expectancy of some cancer sufferers. plus fighting the power through page. guatemalans find a creative way to rally against government corruption and in sport, it looks like we have a winner for the 2015 giro greg ditomaso. -- giroux d'italia.

>> protestors are gathering... >> there's an air of tension right now... >> the crowd chanting for democracy... >> this is another significant development... >> we have an exclusive story tonight, and we go live...

>> "compass" will challenge the way you look at the world. talking about big subjects. telling human stories. >> there's a tidal wave. >> we all have a problem. >> could you have seen that coming? welcome back. a reminder of the top stories much more than 4,200 migrants have been rescued from the mediterranean sea in the last 24 hours. hundreds of people have been killed in aleppo and idlib

during one of the bloodiest days in recent months. a suicide bomber attacked a mosque in maiduguri. at least 11 have been killed. dozens injured. china's gain over a large part of the south china sea dominated a maritime security meeting in singapore. several governments say they have rights to different parts of disputed waters. ash carter has criticized china over the way it is marking their territory. >> reporter: angering the chinese, a u.s. spy plane flies over the south china sea, capturing a portion of the chinese reclamation in the area. china has built at least 7 man made eyelets, over 800 hectares where once there was rocky outcries. the u.s. called it

unprecedented. at an asian security conference ash carter criticized china's aggressiveness. >> with actions in the south china sea, china is out of step with the international rules and norms that underscore the asia pacific security architecture and a sense that exposes diplomacy. as far as china is concerned, the united states is causing trouble. >> it is groundless to criticise china for the stability through construction activities. china has never taken a proactive measure. in fact the disputes in the south china sea has been there for decades. and over the past decades, the region has been peace of and stable just because china's

great restraint the philippines, vietnam and malaysia three of five other claimants have their own installations, but nothing on the scale of china's reclamation. >> the philippines brought the dispute to an international tribunal. china refused to participate maintaining sovereignty. >> the chinese are not quite trusted, simply because on the face of it it appears that the chinese will say one thing, and in action do another. i think it doesn't square off. i think that's where the confusion lies and the mistrust lies. >> reporter: the u.s. and allies fear the struggle over ownership of the south china sea could destabilize peace in the district, and affect trade and security in the rest of the world. >> no permanent solutions are expected at the end of the

security council but it is hoped that the talks will give all parties the space to share perspectives and find a way to work together. china sent a big delegation and it is seen as a positive sign. heatwave in india killed nearly 2,000 people over the past two weeks, and the scorching temperatures are compounding problems faced by communities that struggled with a lack of water. this report now. >> reporter: in some of the most impoverished pockets, hundreds of families are holding last rites for loved ones. this man says his father who worked in the family rice fields died from heat stroke. he was 85. >> translation: my father got sick because of the heat. he was not well for a few days. we gave him water.

it did not help. we decided to take him to the hospital, but he died on the way. >> reporter: stories of illness and death have been told across the area and the neighbouring state of ander practiseder. -- practised ash. >> it hits the patient clear. oral liquids. it is a basically medical facility. it is required to treat a sun stroch patient. >> reporter: in this district what is described as an unprecedented heatwave by meteorologists raised questions about an old problem. water supply. for communities across the area, pools like these are an important source of water for farming and drinking.

many have run dry, leaving villages parched and desperate for alternatives. villages tell al jazeera that they are lucky if taps run for more than an hour a day. authorities struggled to f the problem, and residents learnt to live with very little. >> over time our water problem is worse. we this drought, and don't get as much rain as we used to. groundwater dried up and it's getting hotter. it's a serious problem, particularly for the elderly in a twist of irony, it's water used to cleanse themselves. purifying themselves with a life-saving resource that is in short supply the death toll from storms and flooding in the u.s. rose to 29. 25 of the victims died in texas where several are missing.

president obama signed a disaster declaration, freeing up federal funds. with the latest from texas let's go to jonathan martin. what is the current situation? >> well when we saw you a couple of hours ago, it was outside, it was sunny. i can tell you things have changed. we are seeing sprinkles of rain coming down and the sky is dark thing, the big question is what will happen in the next couple of hours. there's 3-5 inches of rain forecast for this area. it's south-west of houston, a town called rosen berg. a lot of people are on edge. you can see a significant amount of water flooding the streets. a lot of people want to know what is happening next. police have been going door to door telling people to get out. as we speak, it is starting to rain, so i'm going to get the umbrella here but i can tell

you this is a big concern for the people in the area. the amount of rain will determine what happened. the flood is - the river is above flood stage. if it comes too close, it could cause that serious problem. a lot of people waiting to see what will happen. >> we know now, of course that people have better access to relief from the federal government. practically speaking how does that work? >> well yes, the president signed that federal aid. officially what it means is that the counties that were affected by the storm, they'll be eligible for federal aid and recovery, and some non-profits that aid in rebuilding will be eligible in a cost-sharing programme. we are seeing storms over the last couple of days and more storms. it's really over the last month... >> apologies. we seem to have lost jonathan

martin in the middle of that storm from texas. farmers in southern peru are refusing to give up their fight against a proposed color mine -- copper mine. four have been killed in two mines. the farmers say it will destroy their crops. as reported they are convinced the new mine will not bring promised jobs. >> reporter: this 78-year-old woman has been farming for for than 50 years and has seen a decline in the quality of the land and water supply. >> translation: the dust comes from smelting facilities kilometres away, and travels with the wind. this olive tree is covered with dust from the mines. it's dying. now the rice fields are ready for harvest may be lost. farmers abandoned their crops.

they have been protesting for more than seven weeks against a mining project, calling for the construction of a new copper mine. farmers say it's too close to the river valley fearing they will lose their livelihoods because of contamination. >> reporter: we want to though that they give us life and with a mine close by they will disappear. >> reporter: this farmer says the mine will not bring new jobs. >> the company comes and offers jobs but that's a lie. they are bringing people in especially to do the job. >> reporter: they believe if the project begins other mining companies will start explorations here. all of this land in the valley has been divided into mining concessions. people are afraid one day they'll be forced out of their

property as it's happened in other places in peru. >> last year the government approved an environmental impact study. the people say the government has misled them and the only course of action is to oppose the mine. now the rice is ready for the harvest, it will fall on the ground. the protest is more important than saving his crops. >> reporter: it would not be fair that i harvest while others protest and lose. i will be with them. >> 20,000 make their livelihood from growing rice potatos, garlic and sugar cane. the regional agronomist agency said 6 million crops are at risk. the mine will never give them prosperity health or the future for their grandchildren.

thousands are expected to return to the streets of the guatemala's capital to protest government corruption scandals are threatening to bring down the president. david mercer reports. >> reporter: this is the sound of people power in guatemala. young people with spray cans painting over logos with art. for this 24-year-old, it's a way for guatemalans to express their opposition to a corrupt and political system. >> the paintings are great. the politicians painted it first, and they shouldn't have. it's illegal. they get fined and would rather pay the fines and paint over this than not paint at all. >> reporter: in the run up to national elections leading parties painted roads, rocks and

bridges with political symbols, against the law. now the citizens are fighting back. part of a movement sweeping through guatemala. two weeks ago thousands gathered to protest the national movement. it led many ministers to step down, and the president. back in guatemala, people say the art is a way of showing solidarity with protesters in the capital. >> translation: we are here to express ourselves and retake the public spaces and let the politicians know that we are here, united and it is a peaceful revolution. in a country scarred by a bloody civil war, fear has kept people quiet.

local members of a ruling political party appeared and try to intimidate the group for painting over their logos. but they are certain of their legal rights and stand their ground. >> it's not nice to have to fight with other people about what you are doing. but, yes, i think as long as they don't have guns we are fine we'll keep doing it. >> blotting out symbols of a political system rooted in the past. a new generation of guatemalans looking towards the future a new-type of cancer treatment could double the life expectation si of some patients suffering from lung cancer. the new therapy helps patients whose cells are not easily detected. lung cancer killed nearly 1.6 million, and the most common form is non-small cell lung

cancer, and these are the people that could benefit. with the new treatment. 30% of lung cancer patients will be alive a year after the disease is detected. earlier dr allyn worsley explained how the drug works. >> this drug is an immunotherapy. they don't attack the cancer but work to re-engage the immune system wake up the immune cancer and treat the cancer as if it is a threat effectively have the immune system to fight our battle for us. for it to grow it needs to find a way to kill the cells themselves. what this drug does is interferes with cancer's ability, unmasking the cell. stripping away the camouflage they use to hide from the immune system. this trial was used for a patient where the first treatment didn't work. and in this case on a one on

one comparison this immunotherapy drug may be better than chemotherapy. we have to find what is the best which to use immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy or other drugs. what is best for treatment. that is promising for lung cancer patients where there's not many options. >> still to come the latest on a plane flying around the world powered by the sup. >> in sport, footballers could be out of the world cup without playing a single match.

only on al jazeera america.

solar impulse 2, the sun-powered plane is undertaking its toughest voyage yet. they hope to fly around the world, powered only by the sun. it flew more than 2,000km, but the leg to hawaii will require serious insurance. >> reporter: solar impulse two has a wing span as wide as a jet, but weighs little more than a car. it has completed six out of 12 shots in an attempt to be powered by the sun exclusively. is left abu dhabi on 9 march. first to imam and then in india. it set a record for the longest single-manned solar powered

flight 14,068. and flew on it vand ark rnarsi and then to myanmar. it set a fast record. from here while flying over the mountainous area the cabin temperatures dropped as low. >> it will stop here before the team attempts the next led to hawaii. it's a significance of 8,072km. that's five days. the plane has just one pilot on board, which means it will be a feat of endurance. he'll grab naps when the plane is on autopilot. and have a special diet to remain focussed.

he'll have to rely on the team in switzerland, who are monitoring and planning the aircraft's route. >> we can predict weather 2-3 days out with the weather specialist and software we have. predicting five days is difficult. if we did 5-days across the continent and encountered problems there's an airport where we can land much crossing the pacific, there's no ultimate airport. that keeps me up at night. the pilots - this is a first ever will we make it with all the sports news here is sanaa f.i.f.a.'s president sepp blatter has been holding his first news conference since his reelection for a fifth term and uses it to say he is not concerned about the u.s. investigation into world football's governing body.

the 79-year-old used the stage to question the timing of u.s. prosecutors who arrested seven top officials days before friday's election. they are accused of corruption and bribery after an investigation and a heated exchange. he hit hard at europe's governing body u.e.f.a. >> i said i forgive, but i don't forget. and i have said yesterday that i have been elected by 133 national associations and am the president of everybody. u.e.f.a. is the biggest and the richest one. you have the best competition, and the best players, but when it comes to clubs. if you don't have the players, they would not be so rich in football. they have to be an example. not only to save f.i.f.a. they should help and come in and

take responsibility. and the responsibility you cannot take when you are elected, you don't come to the first meeting. this is no responsibility in the same news conference that blatter announced. inspection from f.i.f.a. news could rule them out of the 2018 world cup. the indonesian fa has been punished to interference leading to street protests after the domestic league was cancelled this month. indonesia's national team were due to start the world cup qualifying campaign in less than two weeks time. they are being allowed to compete at the ongoing south-east asian games. >> sepp blatter continues to fend off criticism from many nations, one continent where his population has never wavered is

africa. he took the world cup to them in 2010 and funded football facilities in many of the world's poorest nations. we have been to senegal to find out more. >> reporter: it's not the pitch, but the beach where football champions are made in senegal. in this dry country, finding an accuracy pitch is impossible. skills are picked up from experience rather than formal training. the african continent is a breeding ground for talent. footballers, playing in the big european league is not just a dream, but an ambition. >> most of us have never played on a football pitch, but it has not stopped us playing on a club and doing something we love. >> on the outskirts of a capital is a brand new training ground. >> there's an astroturf so that players can train on a proper

pitch. it's so special that no one, including us are allowed in. f.i.f.a. agreed to build several other pitches, and promised more investment. it was made days before the elections. senegal sided with incumbent president. decades of funding hasn't changed the way football is played. it is seen as a victory for african football. newspaper editorials described the elections as the west's attempt to overthrow africa's friends. >> translation: africa has 54 votes, all to sepp blatter. why? africa in relations and international organizations favors those that seek cooperation and friendship before profit. f.i.f.a. gave the continent a world cup, programs to help youngsters and develop football

all under sepp blatter's watch. >> reporter: sepp blatter's re-election could mean more funds for african football operations. how much will benefit them is unclear. football will be played barefoot. here skills not many sets them apart after all the football politics there's football action with domestic cup finals in four of europe's major leads. a goal was scored in a 4-0 win over aston villa. arsenal lifted the english f.a. cup, moving ahead of manchester united holding it for a fourth time. in germany, hopes of signing off as dortmund's manager were ended. the first club to win the

domestic after victory over auxerre. and barcelona become the copa del ray winners. both top seeds are into the last 16 of the french open. the second grand slam of the tennis season. serena williams and novak djokovic had contrasting matches. victoria azarenka gave serena williams a scare at one stage. the number 27 seed pulled ahead. williams won six straight games in the decider, taking the match in three steps. world number one novak djokovic had a much more straight-sets win. the french open is the only grand slam tournament that novak djokovic has not won. >> defending champion rafael nadal had a 3-sets win against his opponent. the nine-time champion had been

in relatively poor form going into the tournament and seeded number 6. zimbabwe's contributors play the time match of their tour of pakistan despite a suicide bomb attack close to the stadium in lahore. pakistan won the match at the stadium by six wickets, set to go it-up in the three match series. both said players were unaware at the time of the bomb blast, 800 meters away in which two people were killed. security has been increased for the final match in the same stadium. this is the first by pakistan of a test-playing nation since the attack on sri lankan team buses six years ago. >> england captain alastair cook is the highest run scorer in his country's history. he past gooch's record of 8,900 when he reached 32 on the second day of the second test against new zealand at headingly.

>> eventually he was out for 75, putting on 177 run-opening stand. adam liza made a first test century, new zealand hit back and led by 97 runs. spanish cyclist alberto contador will given the giro d'italia for a second time barring a major accident. alberto contador takes the lead of 2 minutes into the final day, despite struggling on stage 20. the last time the riders had to tackle the mountains, alberto contador's closest challenger was a stage winner for a second successful day, but looks like his efforts will be enough for second place. that's it from me. >> thank you. that's it from me julie mcdonald. i'll be back in a moment with more of the day's news. see you then.

bye-bye. bye-bye.

>> this week on "talk to al jazeera": international piano superstar lang lang. >> the art, you know, it's about, you know... the distance and in and out, big picture, precision. >> billions of people around the world have seen him perform. at the beijing olympics... the world cup in rio... even jaming at the grammys. >> as a musician we will collaborate with great musicians. >> lang lang grew up in an